my maid left at jan, when my son was 2 yrs old.
I am taking care my son without any elderly help.
agree with milk 2004, dun cook is very good suggestion.
at first, I tried to keep the family life as before, but I found that it take almost 2 hrs to (purchase+pepare+cook+wash dishes+cleaning the mass by feeding baby) for a meal, which means 2 hrs less for play with baby, it dosen't worth at all.
since my hubby left office late, he could has his dinner at office and now I only boil soup once in 2 days,cook only simple lunch for my baby,noodles,udon...
for dinner, we always share a rice box or set dinner law...virous choice and no clean up work, and actually even cheaper than cook myself.
the kitchen gate can't stop my son anymore, he could open it or push it down.
so I 've took it away and put a chair in the kitchen, if my son dun watch TV and tents to stay with me. then he could sit there and watch. and I would talk to him and explain him what I am doing now:
"mama is boiling the soup now and you could have fish soup udon later.."
"mama is washing dishes now and can play with you after 5 mintues..."